Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has ordered immediate revocation of ownership rights on all undeveloped lands within the Ibom Industrial Park at Mbak Itam 3, Itu Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Eno who gave the directive while inspecting the Industrial park ahead of the proposed establishment of fashion and shoe factories in the area, premised the revocation order on overriding public interest and urged the Commissioner for Lands, Capt. Iniobong Ekong, rtd. to ensure enforcement of the order by revoking all such ownership rights and reclaim the lands for government.
He restated the readiness of government to bring in investors to utilize the space and create jobs for the people.
According to the Governor, the State government was also considering reconstruction of collapsed roads around the area to ease transportation for the industries that would sprout within the industrial park.
He frowned at the idea of a few privileged persons acquiring parcels of land in the area designated by the state government for industries and not utilizing the lands for the intended purpose, maintaining that such acquisition is unacceptable as it is tilted towards frustrating the good intentions of his administration as spelt out in the A.R.I.S.E. Agenda blueprint.
Fielding questions from Government House Correspondents, Governor Eno said: “I have just directed that all lands within that Industrial park that have not been developed into industries, I don’t mean building one small house, be revoked by the Honourable Commissioner .
“There is an Industrial park here. For over ten years, people just acquired the lands and didn’t do anything. It doesn’t make sense at all. It is either they tell us what they want to do, give us the time line and then we monitor it or we will reclaim those lands and then use it for the purpose for which it was meant for in the original master plan”.
The Governor directed that portions of lands in the area be set aside for the construction of clothing and shoe factories to complement the remodelling drive of government in the education sector.
These, he explained, will avail the state government clothes and foot wears for supply to school children without interference of the middlemen and solicited the cooperation of the people in his initiative.
“I would like to beg the Akwa Ibom People to allow us do what will benefit the generality of the public”, he added.
Your Excellency,
Congratulations our governor on your good work and being re-nominated for well-deserved second term. I commend your administration’s focus on industrilization, infrastructure development and employment opportunities. However, I would humbly ask you to fulfill your promise and provide the infrastructure enhancements at Itam Industrial layout. Since you revoked the dormant undeveloped lands there you have not approved or encouraged those that were being developed when you came in to power. “I Am Chips And Pastries Ltd” is a prime example. We have completed our purpose-built industrial warehouse. Akicorp and Lands completed their due diligence and forwarded same for your approval since last year. I AM CHIPS & PASTRIES LTD is a registered company dedicated to the production, packaging, marketing, and distribution of potato chips and pastries products located at No. 31B Itam Industrial layout, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Our production facility will be equipped with state-of-art automated equipment with a capacity to produce and package 100-500 Kg/h of bagged quality potato chips. Our other products include plantain chips, biscuits, chin-chin, cookies, muffins, pies and cakes. This billion naira project will create employment opportunities, generate revenue for the government through taxes, promote economic/social development of the community, provide internship and scholarships to indigent and deserving students. Please help us create jobs and move our state forward. We humbly, request you to approve the certificate of occupancy application submited to you through Akicorp and Lands, so we can secure capital to purchase our automated line production equipment. Your continued dedication to the ARISE Agenda gives the people of Akwa Ibom great hope. Your intervention in this matter will be deeply appreciated and will serve as a testament to your inclusive and compassionate leadership. Help us fulfill our dreams for the state we share. Thank you for your time, your service to our state, and your commitment to listening to the voices of your constituents. I look forward to your positive response and action on this matter. May God bless you abundantly. Yours sincerely,
John Etukakpan
Promoter of I AM CHIPS & PASTRIES LTD
No. 31B Itam Industrial layout, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
ardejon7@yahoo.com